air shock/pump issue
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Tourer
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 323
Likes: 1
From: Indiana
air shock/pump issue
On my 11' RKC, I attached the HD hand pump (analog gauge) to the bike and the dial registered zero. Fine. I put in 20 lbs, and the pressure held as long as the pump was attached. When is removed it (as quickly as possible), it dropped to zero. Thinking the no bleed was the culprit, I inflated to 30lbs...with the same result. Anyone else have this issue?
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Tourer
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 323
Likes: 1
From: Indiana
That is what I am thinking. It is brand new, but it shows zero pounds when I attach it and detach it. The shock may well be at zero before I put it on the first time as the bike had been sitting, but bleeding to zero is ridiculous. I will drive it over to the dealership tomorrow.
Advanced
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 66
Likes: 1
From: RIGBY , IDAHO USA
The gauge will drop to zero when removed , screw it back on and see if it then reads 20 or 30 lbs , which ever you put in . If it is at zero when put back on then you have a bad or loose schrader valve or a leak at a shock or one of the lines . Make sure the valve is tight in the air valve on the bike , same valve as your tire has , there is a valve stem tool to install and snug them in . Make sure lines are pushed all the way into the fitting on each shock and that the red fitting end piece is pulled out away from the brass shock insert , also check the splitter the same way , hope this helps
6th Gear
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
From: missouri
I had this problem with mine too. It ended up being that I didn't have the pump on all the way. It was building up pressure between the valve stem and the pump but when the pump was removed it went to zero. It wasn't actually putting air into the shock. I ended up buying a valve stem extender so that I could get the pump on all the way. I wan't using the HD pump though so this may not be your problem.
Road Warrior
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 1,672
Likes: 17
From: Orange, VA,
Same problem for me, when I put a docking kit on my bike I had to move the valves for my shocks to the mounting plate for the docking kit, that made the stems shorter and my pump was not on far enough to open the valve, I was pumping pressure but it was not going in the valves.
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Tourer
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 323
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From: Indiana
The pump was screwed on until tight. Now that you say that though, it wasn't even a full pump to get to 20lbs. I wonder if the air wasn't getting into the shock. I will have to test that valve (do not yet have the tool) and see if it isn't the stem. Thanks!
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,306
Likes: 39
From: Everywhere
I use a progressive suspension pump and it would normally take several pumps to go from 0 to 20. Don't think your pump was attached correctly.
Road Master
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 881
Likes: 13
From: ONT
I would have to agree with Swmpman. More than likely this is what your problem is. How many strokes of the pump handle are you making for it to come up to 20-30 psi? Albeit even when the shocks are empty of air there isn't much volume required to fill them. If it's just 1 or 2 strokes you haven't got the connection on the schrader valve correct and as such you aren't opening the needle valve. It should take at least 5 or more strokes to get the shocks full.